Siziba Thando
Health and Environment www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
BULAWAYO – A recent Zim GBC News street interview has unearthed a deep-seated cultural divide in Bulawayo over dental care, pitting time-honoured traditional remedies against modern dentistry.
The conversations revealed a strong community belief in the efficacy of herbs like umtshekisani, used for generations to clean teeth and manage toothaches, alongside a growing distrust of clinical dental practices.
The Case for Tradition: Affordability, Heritage, and Trust
For many interviewees, traditional medicine is not just an alternative; it is the first and only line of defence. The reasons for their steadfast support are clear:
“Why pay hundreds of dollars at a dentist when we have umtshekisani?” asked Sibanda elderly resident who sells natural herbs.
“This tree has been our dentist for generations. It is free from the forest, it has no side effects, and it works. My grandparents used it and kept their teeth until their old age.”
This sentiment echoes a widespread view that natural herbs are a accessible, cost-effective solution proven by history.
· Distrust of Modern Care: A strong undercurrent of skepticism toward modern dentistry emerged. Many view it as a financial scheme. One passionate interviewee claimed
“These dentists are just scheming for money. You go in for one pain, and they pull one tooth. Then you will never stop; it will be tooth after tooth because you won’t be able to bear the pain they create.” Sizwe Nyathi.
This fear of unnecessary procedures and a perception of profit-driven motives makes many hesitant to ever enter a dental clinic.
The Case for Modern Care: Prevention, Precision, and Long-Term Health
On the other side of the debate are dental professionals and residents who advocate for the precision and preventive power of modern dentistry.
· Effective Daily Prevention: Advocates argue that the consistent practice of brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste provides a daily defence mechanism that herbs cannot replicate, effectively keeping plaques and cavities at bay for a clean, healthy smile.
· The Power of Early Detection: The core advantage touted by modern dentistry is its ability to foresee problems.
A local dentist explained,
“The goal is to stop pain before it starts. With a simple check-up, we can spot a tiny cavity six months or a year before it ever becomes a painful toothache. Traditional methods often only come into play when the pain is already there, meaning the problem is already advanced.”Dr P. Nyoni.
· Saving Teeth, Not Pulling Them: This pre-emptive approach was confirmed by a younger interviewee:
“I used to think like that, but then I went for a check-up. The dentist found a weak spot and fixed it in minutes with a filling. I still have my tooth, and I never felt any pain. They didn’t pull it; they saved it. That’s being ahead of the problem.” Minienhle Dube
Finding Common Ground: A Integrated Path Forward
This divide presents a critical question for public health: is it an either-or choice?
Many healthcare professionals suggest a integrated approach is possible. They acknowledge the cultural value and antibacterial properties of certain traditional herbs like umtshekisani for maintaining oral hygiene. However, they stress that these should be complemented, not replaced, by the diagnostic power of modern dentistry.
The key is shifting the perception of a dentist from a “tooth puller” to a “tooth saver.” Modern dental care is fundamentally designed to prevent the very pain and extractions that the community fears. While traditional herbs offer a valuable and trusted tool for daily care, professional check-ups provide the essential oversight to catch problems in their earliest, most affordable, and pain-free stages to treat.
The path to better dental health in Bulawayo may not require abandoning tradition, but rather augmenting it with the preventive science of modern care, ensuring that future generations can keep their natural smiles for a lifetime.
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